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ation© Graphic Education 2007AS/OGGA04

GREENHOUSE EFFECT

IMPACTS4

How will global warming impact on people?The severity of the damage global warming will cause to the planet depends on how quickly we act to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The effect that global warming has on a country will depend on:• how the country’s rainfall is affected.• what the main source of income is for that country.• the sea level. Low-lying countries may be

consumed by the ocean as water levels rise.

What impact will global warming have on wildlife?• Many species of animal are on the brink of extinction because of climate change.

• Climate change is the cause of many problems which include habitat loss, food loss and changes in habitat range.

• More animals will become extinct as the climate gets hotter.

• Polar bears are under considerable threat as a result of global warming.

As the arctic ice mass reduces, the polar bears’ ability to fi nd food, reproduce and survive is also reduced.

Some experts believe that the polar bear will be extinct in as little as 50 years.

Cyclone Larry (a very severe category 5 system) as it crossed the coast near Innisfail, North Queensland in 2006.

The land is ploughed but without water nothing will grow.

Much of Australia’s traditional grain farming land may have to be abandoned in the future.

As the country becomes hotter and drier, droughts will become more frequent and severe. So much so, that many farms will no longer be viable.

At the other extreme, cyclones may become more severe in northern Australia causing widespread damage and torrential rain.

Severe fl ooding may increase.